Realtor associations at the national, state, and local level joined other industries and individuals in condemning the tragic, senseless death of George Floyd and have spoken of the values of inclusion and equality. Last week, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors brought the conversation of racial bias to members at a virtual program with National Association of Realtors President Vince Malta and Sereno Group Vice President of Client Experience Brian Chancellor.
Chancellor was one of the speakers who spoke out against racial discrimination at the Juneteenth Rally in Palo Alto City Hall. Chancellor's parents moved the family from Ohio to Palo Alto in 1972 to escape deep-rooted racism with hope of providing their children a better education. They soon found out California was no different. More than 200 SILVAR members listened as Chancellor shared his own painful personal experiences of mistreatment by students, teachers and school administrators being a Black student in Palo Alto schools. His children have experienced much of the same. Nothing much has changed, said Chancellor.
Chancellor said he and his family are very comfortable in their real estate family, but there have been times when he has experienced implicit bias within the industry. He indicated discrimination can be overtly manifested, or displayed through subtle nuances that people do not even realize are hurtful.
"Some think they are not racist, but their actions are hurtful, and they don't know it," said Chancellor.
Chancellor said he initially was reluctant to speak out, numbed by his own experiences and abuses against other Blacks, but he realized maybe this time things will change. By speaking out he hopes to bring others in the conversation.
"Don't be afraid right now as we move forward to be willing to engage in the conversation. The needle is not going to be moved if people of privilege, if you are not willing to be part of the conversation," said Chancellor.
Equality, inclusion, and acceptance are the pillars upon which Realtors operate, said Malta. "We believe Black Lives Matter and we need to address racial injustice and the institutionalization of racial discrimination."
The NAR president said already in January, NAR leadership announced its Fair Housing Action (ACT) Plan which emphasizes Accountability, Culture Change, and Training (ACT) to protect housing rights and uphold fair housing standards. NAR is collaborating with groups to make sure fair housing issues are addressed. These groups include multicultural associations and partners in real estate like the lending and appraisal industries, whose policies in the face may not be, but could have a discriminatory effect.
"We need to be vigilant and make sure the message is consistent, so we all are on the same page, so Realtors and others in the industry who violate the Fair Housing Act are held accountable. When we see this, we need to report it," Malta told Silicon Valley Realtors. "If a seller or agent insists on excluding a certain group, tell them it is unethical and against the law. It is your duty."
Like Chancellor, Malta stressed the importance of recognizing implicit bias. He urged Realtors to view NAR's 50-minute Implicit Bias Training video, noting, "We all have implicit bias that we need to work on as an industry if we want to move forward. Diversity, inclusion, and fair housing. We need to be committed and be part of that."
Mary Kay Groth, president of SILVAR, said, "We are grateful to Brian for opening our eyes to the fact that even here in the Bay Area where we take pride in our region's diversity, that racial bias exists in our communities and in our profession. As Vince says, as Realtors, we must not just stand by when we see it; we need to address it."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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